Morris dance May Day celebrations across region

Morris dancers in the East Midlands have performed traditional May Day routines across the region.

A number of groups in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire headed for high ground as the sun came up on Wednesday to perform their dances.

Morris dancing sees performers holding handkerchiefs, and clashing sticks or swords, to the accompaniment of folk music.

Many dancers also wear hats and attach bells to their legs.

The Leicester Morris Men performed next to Old John in Bradgate Park at 07:00 BST

Among the groups taking part included the Rattlejag Morris group, which came together at Laxton Castle, near Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, from 05:30 BST.

Chris Rose, who helped organise the event, said: "We started doing it in about 1988 and we've done this every year since - with a year off for Covid and for foot and mouth disease.

"We all start the event with a bit of singing and sing a traditional song Hal-an-Tow, and then we dance for about 35 or 40 minutes.

"It's a magical event - you see people coming across the fields; you gather together and it's a really wonderful experience."

Morris dancing dates back to at least the 1400s

The Leicester Morris group started their celebrations a little later from 07:00 in Bradgate Park.

They started their routine in front of the local landmark known as Old John.

Charlie Corcoran, the group's "bagman", a role he has held since 1978, said: "For more than 20 years now we have come to Bradgate Park and danced by Old John.

"Most years - evening when it's raining - people will come along and enjoy the celebration with us.

"There's always a few dog walkers and some hardcore of people who will get up early to come and watch.

"The tradition is very important and it's important for us to keep that going. Not only that but it's a very sociable thing and you end up making lifelong friends."

The Morris dancing tradition dates back at least to the 1400s and dancers in Leicester were mentioned in court records in 1599, the group said.

'Burst of energy'

Last year, the Leicester Morris group marked their 70th year of dancing in and around the city.

Elsewhere in the region, the Ripley Morris in Derbyshire is due to come together on Wednesday evening, meeting at the Horse and Jockey pub in Selston, Nottinghamshire.

The group's bagman, Alex Bowness, said this year marks his 50th year of dancing.

He added: "We used to get up at dawn a long time ago but not anymore.

"There's so many folk songs about May and traditions about this being a key date for the start of the farming calendar so we come together to dance to them.

"It's now my 50th year of dancing and it's the people that keep you going. You just enjoy being involved with something with people who have a similar outlook.

"I wouldn't really say it keeps me fit; you you can imagine there's a burst of energy, but that is soon followed by a pint."

The Leicester Morris performed in misty conditions